Make it yourself. Make it your own.

Christa’s Soapbox – Celebrate Your Fabric Independence!

With the 4th of July holiday coming up next week, it reminds me of all the things I have to be thankful for – like freedom and independence, and entrepreneurial spirit!

I’ve always had a dream to own my own business ever since I was little. When I was just a little kid, I earned money selling home-made suckers from my front yard, renting out video game time on our neighborhood’s first electronic game console, and going door to door selling carwashes that I provided myself! I’ve always had the belief that if you work hard enough, anything is possible!

About a week after I learned to quilt (almost 20 years ago) I was hooked and immediately thought of ways to support my habit and start making money from my craft. I sold quilts, taught quilting classes, and for the last 6 years Jason and I have been selling fabric full-time.

It’s been rewarding, exciting, time-consuming, frustrating, heart-wrenching, and thoroughly exhilarating. We are not getting rich by any means, but it sure feels great to get up each day and love what we do.

In the spirit of independence, I’d like to introduce Fabric Shoppers Unite, a worldwide network of independent quilt and fabric shops, e-tailers, and design studios who have joined forces to promote shopping independents.

According to their statistic, 95% of fabric purchases are made through chain stores, and they are trying to change that, encouraging people to shop “local” whether that’s around the corner, or across the world!

By shopping independent shops, you support that movement and join with consumers just like yourself to ensure that you will have access to the best specialized quilting and sewing supplies, no matter where you live.

Here are three top reasons as to why you should support independent and local business:

1. Excellent Service
At independents, you can expect caring attention to your needs.

2. Superior Knowledge
Independent shops are staffed with enthusiastic quilters and sewists, and have
unsurpassed knowledge that they pass on to you.

3. Count on Quality
Fabrics, notions and tools available at independents are of the
best quality.